(Click on each section header to open (or to close) items in that section)

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"This 21-year-old rookie was the darkhorse in the goaltending battle to replace the departed Ken Dryden. But his credentials were excellent - a league-leading 2.50 goals-against average with the Voyageurs in his rookie pro season last year. And the native of Hull, Que., had an excellent training camp and exhibition season." (Montreal Gazette, October 12, 1973, p. 37)

"This 21-year-old rookie came to training camp in the fall as the dark horse for the goaltending job left vacant by the retirement of Ken Dryden and was so impressive that he started the season in the nets. He shared most of the work this season with Wayne Thomas and played well, with a goals-against average below 3.00 and some great saves." (Montreal Gazette, April 10, 1974, p. 46)

""Bunny" was superb in the playoffs last year and, at 22, it seemed that he had developed into an NHL goalie. He may have but he probably won't get a chance to show it with the Canadiens this year. He's destined to back up Ken Dryden. He played all six playoff games and could not be faulted at all in the Canadiens' loss." (Montreal Gazette, October 9, 1974, p. 33)

"Will Bunny Larocque - finally accorded the No. 1 goalie spot - fare as well as he did as Dryden's super-sub? Or will he struggle under the workload while Montreal searches for an able backup?" (The Hockey News [1979-]1980 Yearbook, p. 88)

TRANSACTIONS:

Selected by Montreal Canadiens in first round (second Canadiens pick, sixth overall) during National Hockey League entry draft, 1972.

Traded by Canadiens to Toronto Maple Leafs for Robert Picard, March 10, 1981. Larocque publicly requested a trade on February 26, primarily due to the Canadiens' three-goaltender system of himself, Richard Sevigny, and Denis Herron.

Traded by Toronto to Philadelphia Flyers for G Rick St. Croix, January 11, 1983. The Leafs had been trying to trade Larocque since the 1982 offseason. "They said if they had a chance to trade me, they would. I'm an older player and they're going with younger players," said Larocque.

Traded by Flyers to St. Louis Blues for cash, January 5, 1984.

ACCOLADES:

Named to Ontario Hockey Associaton (Junior) All-Star Second Team, 1970-71.

Named to Ontario Major Junior Hockey League All-Star First Team, 1971-72.

Suffered broken right index finger, March 6, 1974. "I injured it during the warmup. It was a shot from Larry Robinson," said the goaltender. Larocque played the entire game (and was not aware that the finger was broken).

Suffered broken finger, October 1976. Larocque did not play for the Canadiens between October 10 and November 19.

Left game with knee injury, December 29, 1976. 4:49 into the third period of Montreal's game with Pittsburgh, Larocque twisted his knee as the Penguins tied the game on a disputed goal. "I think [Ron Schock] put it in with his skate," said Larocque. Ken Dryden finished the game, providing some levity afterwards: "Ah yes. Bunny went seven innings, then I came in and mopped up."

Missed game with head injury, May 15, 1979. Larocque was scheduled to start Game Two of the Canadiens' Stanley Cup Final series against the New York Rangers, but was struck on the forehead by the warmup slapshot of teammate Doug Risebrough. Larocque spent the night in the hospital, suffering from a severe headache and nausea. X-rays relevealed no concussion, and Larocque was back (on the bench) for Game Three two nights later.

Suffered bruised shoulder in practice, November 12, 1979. Richard Sevigny was recalled from Nova Scotia to back up Denis Herron for the Canadiens' next contest.

Left game with hand injury, December 4, 1980. With 4:21 remaining in Montreal's 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh, Larocque suffered a deep gash (and severed an artery) on his right hand between the thumb and index finger when Pittsburgh's Peter Lee accidentally cut him with his left skate while chasing after a loose puck. Richard Sevigny finished the game for the Canadiens

Left game with rib injury, April 9, 1981. Late in Toronto's 5-1 playoff loss to the Islanders, New York's Garry Howatt tumbled over Larocque, who was replaced by Jiri Crha.

Left game with flu, November 28, 1981. Vincent Tremblay played the final two periods of Toronto's 4-4 tie with Buffalo.

Left game after collision with Paul Woods, March 27, 1982. Vincent Tremblay completed the Leafs' 2-1 loss to Detroit.

NHL PENALTY SHOTS:

DATE

SHOOTER

GOAL?

NOTES

04/07/1979

Blair Stewart

N

DID YOU KNOW?

Michel was the first goaltender selected in the 1972 NHL amateur draft, sixth overall to the Montreal Canadiens.

On March 24, 1982, Michel was pulled in favor of an empty net with 34 seconds remaining in a 3-3 Toronto tie with St. Louis. Twenty-two seconds later, Miroslav Frycer scored to give the Leafs a 4-3 win over the Blues. With a loss or tie, the Maple Leafs would have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Game logs have been compiled using the best information that I can find; for a detailed list of known concerns, please click here. I am always looking for assistance in making these more accurate, and welcome your help. For the 1983-84 season and prior, one of my key sources was the Hockey Summary Project, a tremendous resource and one of the best data collections on the Internet. In return, I have attempted to make these data better where possible.